Alaska publisher dies of pancreatic cancer

ANCHORAGE - A longtime Alaska publisher has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Vern McCorkle was 73.

The publisher of Alaska Business Monthly died Tuesday, said his business partner of 18 years, Jim Martin.

"He'll be missed tremendously. He was a man with a multitude of talents, was respected by all who knew him and loved by the community and state as a whole. Everywhere you went, someone knew Vern McCorkle," Martin said.

McCorkle was born in Washington state and was stationed for a time at the Kodiak Naval Station.

As an assistant junior officer, McCorkle helped supervise the building of the first television station in Alaska, called AFRTS.

After he was discharged, McCorkle moved to Wenatchee, Wash., and worked for KMEL radio.

In 1958, McCorkle moved to Alaska, and worked as city manager in the communities of Haines, Nenana, Anderson and St. Paul, among others.

In 1985, McCorkle joined the team to found Alaska Business Publishing.

During his lifetime, he worked to feed the elderly and cared for the homeless and served as a long-term care ombudsman.

He was a founder of the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, served on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Commission, and on the deans committee and chair of the business school at University of Alaska Anchorage, among others.

At McCorkle's request, no services will be held.